I have a conventional central heating system (condensing boiler, header tank, hot water tank & immersion). I have carried out a number of tasks on the system over the years: changing radiators, installing a new airing cupboard and new hot water tank, and I am fairly happy with my domestic plumbing. However, I have converted an attached garage into an office. I had to extend the 2 CH drain taps so that they would drain to the outside world, not into the office. I have used them many times without issue and always assumed that one was connected to the flow and the other to the return. Is this normal? Both have good pressure, so they are obviously connected to a pumped system. Could I connect a radiator to these existing pipes (and save a great deal of time and mess)? Grateful for any comments/advice.
CH Drain Taps
- Thread starter Chesterbelly
- Start date
Yes but dont connect the radiator in a "one pipe" fashion.
Are you sure they are connected to the flow and return, you don't seem too sure? I would double check before connecting anything.
Are you sure they are connected to the flow and return, you don't seem too sure? I would double check before connecting anything.
It's worth a try, but make sure both are connected to the heating circuit.
If one is actually for the hot or cold water systems, connecting them together with a hose would probably cause water to run from either the heating F&E tank or cold storage tank overflows, so be prepared to monitor them when you try it.
If one is actually for the hot or cold water systems, connecting them together with a hose would probably cause water to run from either the heating F&E tank or cold storage tank overflows, so be prepared to monitor them when you try it.
I recon you could - and you could try a temporary hose connection across them - long hose - then turn on heating . If water flows and hose warms up . Go for it
Thanks. The long hose is a good idea and should allow me to work out the direction of flow.
John506, the problem that I have is that the pipework on the ground floor is buried in the concrete floor, which makes tracing the pipework quite difficult. My cats have found the main flow and return pipes, but seem reluctant to help find the lesser pipes!
Good point, though when I drain the central heating system using either tap, I get around 2 and a half buckets of water (I have fitted an inline valve to isolate the header tank, which saves time when draining the system and also saves messing with wood and bungees in the loft), which leads me to think that they are on the same circuit. My concern is that they may (for some reason that I can't work out) be both connected to the flow or return, so by connecting a radiator to both would probably not produce any useful results.
At long last, I have gotten round to balancing the CH system and hey presto! the radiator is roasting! It also seems to have made the whole system more efficient as I have had to turn the house thermostat down as the house was getting too hot, even with adjusting the radiator thermostat. It did also, however, show me that some of the radiators that we fitted when the house was new actually have their valves on the wrong side. These radiators are also corroding very badly and will be replaced shortly and trying to adjust rusty valves was a nightmare.
Thanks all for your advice.
Thanks all for your advice.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
